Never letting the grass grow under their feet, the Kentlands Under the Lights committee has been hard at work since the beginning of the year on what will be a wholly new and reimagined Kentlands Under the Lights for 2023. Kentlands Under the Lights will have a new and expanded footprint on Market Street running from the traffic circle to CenterPoint – and now fully including the Paseo space and merchants – more music options including three band stages, more food and drink options, and more places to sit and linger and enjoy the company and fellowship of our friends and neighbors on a warm summer night. Kentlands Under the Lights 2023 will be the best yet.


Sherwood High School rising senior Conor Pugh was recognized by county health officials and MCPS for his efforts to produce and distribute diabetes kits for students recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2020, Pugh has packaged tools, including glucose tablets, an insulin cooler, a medical ID bracelet, water bottle, pocket calculator and needle disposal container for storing used needles into a kit to help students adjust to a diabetes diagnosis. He put the kits together as part of his Eagle Scout service project.


The OBGC 13U Blackhawks have won back-to-back championships after consecutive undefeated seasons. “I almost feel more of a relief than excitement. The expectations on this team were such that anything less than a championship would have been a disappointment for several of the players. The players were able to rise to the moment and they will remember today long after they eventually hang up their cleats.” said Coach Ron Berry. “This team is special, with or without the win today. This was the just the cherry on top.”

This band of young ladies has gone 33-2-1 over the last three seasons (2023 Spring Record – 12-0-1. 2022 Fall Record – 10-0. 2022. Spring Record – 11-2). The league they compete in is the OBGC House Softball league for 13u girls, which is made of a consortium of teams from Poolesville, Clarksville, Burtonsville, Damascus and Rockville. After losing to Damascus Team Remsnyder in the playoffs last spring, the team came back very hungry. They went undefeated in the Fall season (no playoff due to shortened daylight time and harsher weather with fall and winter approaching). The majority of the team came back for this year‘a spring season and picked up right where they left off.


In addition to the $.01 promotion, Brew Belly will also be offering a special menu featuring lobster poutine and lobster cheesesteaks. Per Brew Belly: “Take Dad where he really wants to go this Father’s Day – the only place he can get a 1¢ CRAFT DRAFT PINT for telling his favorite joke, the BEST CHEESESTEAKS around, and our NEWEST WING FLAVOR – ANGRY JERK! We can’t wait to celebrate with you!”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtO13MnuK3q/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==


Last September we let you know that Smoothie King will be opening an Olney location at the Olney Village Center. It will be taking over the 980 SF space that was previously home to Party USA at 18151 Village Center Drive, between IHOP and Pho & Grill. Smoothie King opened earlier this week.

Since taking the helm, owner/CEO Wan Kim has led efforts to transform the brand’s menu from being packed with sugar and artificial flavors and colors to being health-conscious and packed with whole fruits and organic, non-GMO ingredients. The main focus is not only giving Smoothie King guests the ability to customize smoothies according to their preferences, Kim says, but pushing  their product to more closely align with a healthier, active lifestyle.


Celebrate Three Years of Brewing Excellence with Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company in Olney: Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company, the award-winning craft brewery in Olney, MD, is excited to announce its upcoming third birthday celebration – Harvest Fest – taking place on Friday, June 9th, Saturday, June 10th and Sunday, June 11th, 2023. This milestone marks three years of exceptional craftsmanship, dedication to quality, and a commitment to the community. We kick off Harvest Fest with DC101 DJ Roche! The renowned beer guru will be broadcasting his show LIVE from The Farm on Friday, June 9ª from 3pm to 7pm!

Since its founding in 2020. Lone Oak Farm Brewins Company has become a beloved fixture in the local brewing scene. What began as a small operation has grown into a thriving establishment, oftering a diverse selection of flavorful and innovative brews that satisfy even the most discerning beer enthusiasts.


MedStar Health, which is headquartered in nearby Columbia and has multiple urgent care facilities in Montgomery Countyas well as a hospital in Olney,  has been named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and Greatest Workplaces for Women 2023 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. The recognition is part of a larger effort to identify the nation’s best workplaces for not only promoting diversity and empowering women, but also supporting veterans, job starters, LGBTQ associates, and more.

To determine the Greatest Workplaces, Newsweek and Plant-A conducted a large-scale study of U.S. employers based on hundreds of thousands of company reviews, associate interviews, as well as publicly available information. Newsweek says that interviewed associates gave MedStar Health particularly high scores for encouraging diversity in the workplace, respecting female associates, and respecting LGBTQ associates. MedStar Health represents one of the only healthcare organizations in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region to be awarded the highest possible five-star rating for diversity. MedStar Health received a rating of four stars out of five for its emphasis on supporting women.


Sam Dickey, a senior at Sherwood High School, was awarded the $180,000 Navy ROTC Scholarship (Marine option) on Thursday, May 25th. Rockville Marines announced yesterday, “Today, Sam is one of the hand selected few who have been awarded the $180,000 NROTC Scholarship (Marine Option)!! What an awesome way to represent your family and Sherwood High School! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!”

Per the NROTC: The purpose of the Navy ROTC Program is to educate and train qualified young men and women for service as commissioned officers in the Navy’s unrestricted line, the Navy Nurse Corps and the Marine Corps. As the largest single source of Navy and Marine Corps officers, the Navy ROTC Scholarship Program plays an important role in preparing mature young men and women for leadership and management positions in an increasingly technical Navy and Marine Corps.


Salt & Vine officially opens on Friday, May 26th in the Olney House, which was previously the home of Ricciuti’s at 3308 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. Below you’ll see a sneak peek at some of the menu items from a soft opening event that took place on Wednesday, May 24th.

“Salt & Vine Trattoria and Wine Bar is built from the historic Olney house at Olney Maryland. Executive Chef and Owner, Thomas Zippelli has focused on creating local, fresh, and seasonally inspired Italian dishes. As well as building a dining experience that fits everyone . We have outdoor seating, two bars, private dining, and a dining room. Anyone searching for an elevated and authentic dining experience will enjoy Salt and Vine. Search no further.”


Last September we let you know that Smoothie King will be opening an Olney location at the Olney Village Center. It will be taking over the 980 SF space that was previously home to Party USA at 18151 Village Center Drive, between IHOP and Pho & Grill. Signage is up and interior construction has progressed to near completion. An opening date has not been provided yet, but it looks very close to being ready to open (photo below).

Olney Village Center, where Smoothie King will be located, is anchored by Giant, TJ Maxx, and Gold’s Gym. Smoothie King will compete directly with nearby Playa Bowls, which opened at the Fair Hill shopping center at the beginning of 2021. CB Acai, which also offered smoothies, closed its only storefront in November 2021. Carmen’s, an Italian ice and sweet treats spot, opened in Olney in April 2020, and Kung Fu Tea, which offers bubble tea, slushies, and other cold and warm beverages, recently opened in the Shoppes of Olney.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) units responded to 14508 Homecrest Rd (Homecrest House Stein Building) in Sandy Spring for a small fire in a 2nd floor apartment. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the fire was located in a kitchen and involved appliances/equipment. The fire was extinguished by maintenance crew prior to  MCFRS arrival. Five patients were evaluated and two adults were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injures.

We will post an update if additional information becomes available.


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